News Release

ST. GEORGE (GNB) – Students at Fundy High School in St. George are getting hands-on experience in aquatic science that will result in an increased understanding of ocean currents in the Bay of Fundy.

Through support from the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, the students are building 100 oceanographic data collectors, also known as drogues. The project was included as part of the shop program, where students used various tools and skills to build the drogues. Once the drogues are released, the students will also have the opportunity to track their progress by using a software program.

The project received funding under the federal Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program. The design was provided by the Saint Andrews Biological Station and materials were provided by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.

“The data being collected in this unique partnership is of particular importance to the aquaculture sector,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “Our government is pleased to have been able to contribute the materials for the Fundy High School students to participate in this project. The students have shown great interest and leadership on this project and for that, I congratulate them.”

Each drogue has a GPS unit that sends a signal to a satellite every five minutes. The signal is then delivered to a software program. The signal records the exact location of the drogue and tracks its movements, collecting vital information about ocean currents.

“This is a great example of all levels of government, industry and community working together to provide increased information for aquaculture,” said New Brunswick Southwest MP Karen Ludwig. “The data collected by these drogues will supplement the data we are already collecting to get timely information on our currents, and we are pleased that the students were able to gain hands-on technical experience as part of their studies.”

Ludwig attended the event for the federal Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Hunter Tootoo.

The 100 drogues built by the students will be combined with an additional 100 built at the biological station. They will be released at various times throughout the coming years by the province, industry and the biological station. This will increase the amount of data collected. The data will allow scientists to improve circulation, drift and current models in and around aquaculture sites, allowing better science to use in making decisions for aquaculture management in the bay areas of Southwestern New Brunswick. It will also assist in the development of oil-spill tracking in the area should one occur.

“This project will give us valuable information about tidal currents,” said Sue Farquharson, executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association. “This could potentially increase the productivity of certain growing areas by providing additional water parameter data that can help make decisions on the optimum fish densities at each farm, while protecting fish health and the health of the ecosystem.”

“We are pleased to be able to give our students an engaging and meaningful project to work on,” said John Tanner, principal of Fundy High School. “Our students will remember this project and know that they were helping with applied research.”